Slam-less Alexander Zverev still hasn't won the 'the only thing that matters' in tennis: Ex-ATP pro

Alexander Zverev has never won a Grand Slam trophy. He came close at the 2020 US Open when he held a 2-0 lead over Dominic Thiem, who managed to battle back and win that five-set thriller in the end. Since then, Zverev has made one more final, losing at the 2024 French Open to Carlos Alcaraz.

He was up 2-1 in that one as well, so he's had two Grand Slam trophies slip through his fingers. That's unfortunate, but according to former player Steve Johnson, it's also the only thing he's really missing from the trophy cabinet.

"The only thing that matters is a slam title. He's accomplished everything else he probably wanted to accomplish. The slam title, that's it. That's all he has left to accomplish. That's goal number one, two, and three," Steve Johnson on the Nothing Major Podcast (20:16)

Zverev has achieved quite a few things already. He's won multiple trophies, became an Olympic champion in 2021, and peaked at number two on the ATP ranking. The Grand Slam trophy is the only thing he's missing outside of being world number one, and those two are likely to happen simultaneously.

Johnson would further go on to declare Zverev one of the best players ever to have never won a Grand Slam trophy, and as crazy as that might be, it holds some water.

"There is nothing more important than him eclipsing a slam, so I don't know if that means playing a little less tournaments. Without him holding a slam trophy in 2025, barring injury, that would be another good year, but it's not an outstanding year. He needs to win a slam. He's probably one of the best players of all time to have never won a slam at this point. He's good enough, he just hasn't gotten over the hump." (20:25)

This upcoming season presents a new chance for Alexander Zverev, who nearly made the 2024 Australian Open final.

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Alexander Zverev's 2025 season goals

Alexander Zverev didn't mince his words when he was asked about his 2025 season goals following the conclusion of the ATP Finals. He firmly asserted that both winning a Grand Slam and becoming world number one are his goals for 2025.

"Roland Garros is always marked in my calendar since the injury. I've been saying that the last few years. It's always, yeah, kind of a big circle around those dates. But for me, it's no secret, I'm searching for that Grand Slam title. I'm searching for World No. 1. I'm searching for the Grand Slams," Alexander Zverev on his goals.

Knowing your goals is half the battle. The harder part is making them true. Time will tell if Zverev can get it done.